Help paying for septic repairs

Who pays for a failing septic system: state loan and grant programs, county programs, and the federal ones, in each program's words.

Federal programs

Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)

Agency: EPA
Pays: "Under the CWSRF, EPA provides grants to all 50 states plus Puerto Rico to capitalize state CWSRF loan programs." "The CWSRF programs function like environmental infrastructure banks by providing low interest loans to eligible recipients for water infrastructure projects."¹
How to start: "You can contact your CWSRF state representative to learn more about the application process and eligibility requirements."¹

EPA's septic funding page

USDA Section 504 Home Repair loans and grants

Agency: USDA Rural Development
Pays: "Offers grants and low-interest loans to repair, improve, or modernize rural single-family homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards, including septic systems."¹
How to start: USDA's limits and how to apply: Section 504 on the repair help page

EPA's septic funding page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

By state

Alabama

Lowndes County Septic System Program

Agency: Alabama Department of Public Health
Pays: "Systems will be installed at no cost to residents."²
Who qualifies: "ADPH now has a program for installing onsite septic systems that can work in Lowndes County soil."²
How to start: "Go to the Lowndes County Septic System Program web page or call (334) 206-5373 to learn more."²
Note: From a news release dated January 18, 2024.

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Arizona

Arizona law (House Bill 2096, 2026): "A county may apply for and receive financial assistance, including forgivable principal, from the water infrastructure finance authority of Arizona for the remediation, closure or replacement of cesspools that present a demonstrated risk to surface water, groundwater or public health."³

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Arkansas

Septic Tank Remediation Program

Agency: Illinois River Watershed Partnership
Pays: "Anyone living in the Arkansas side of the Illinois River Watershed that has a failing septic system is eligible for a combination of zero-interest loans and non-repayable grant funds."⁴
Who qualifies: "The existing septic system is designated as failing by the Arkansas Department of Health local county health unit." "There is no income cap."⁴
How to start: "Please complete this Pre-Application Form to be contacted by an IRWP associate to review eligibility and discuss the program."⁴

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

California

Septic mini-loans from the state's Clean Water fund (State Water Board): "To date, no local agency has established a mini-loan program."⁵

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Connecticut

Septic for Homeowners

Agency: Connecticut Green Bank
Pays: "This loan offers terms up to 15 years with rates ranging from 6.99% to 7.99% with loans from $500 to $50,000."⁶
How to start: "Contact a local participating Smart-E lender directly with the amount you need to finance and apply for pre-approval."⁶

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Delaware

Septic Rehabilitation Grant Program (SRGP)

Agency: Delaware DNREC
Pays: "Eligible costs for on-site systems include site evaluation, septic system design, permits, and construction costs."⁷
Who qualifies: "The DNREC Septic Rehabilitation Grant Program (SRGP) provides support for low-income homeowners who need to replace failing septic systems and cesspools."⁷
How to start: Grant application on the official page.

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Florida

Florida DEP's Water Quality Improvement Grant Program "provides funding to Florida's governmental entities (cities, counties, municipalities, etc.) to address wastewater (including septic to sewer), stormwater and agricultural sources of nutrients"⁸

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Georgia

Georgia Environmental Finance Authority: "Please note, state law does not allow GEFA to lend to private entities for water, wastewater, sewer, and septic projects."⁹

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Idaho

Grants and Loans to Refurbish or Replace Individual Septic Systems

Agency: Idaho DEQ
Pays: "The CWSRF program has provided funding to the Rural Community Assistance Corporation to provide low interest rate loans and grants to refurbish or replace individual septic systems."¹⁰
Who qualifies: "Applicants must own and occupy the home served by the septic system to be renovated or replaced." "Households with annual income not exceeding $49,174 are income-eligible for loan assistance." "Households with annual income not exceeding $24,587 are income-eligible for grant assistance."¹⁰
How to start: "For more information or to apply for this funding, visit the Rural Community Assistance Corporation website"¹⁰

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Illinois

Illinois EPA's Unsewered Communities grants are for "projects to plan or construct wastewater collection and treatment systems in unsewered communities"¹¹

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Iowa

Onsite Wastewater System Assistance Linked-Deposit Program (OSWAP)

Agency: Iowa Administrative Code 567-90.10
Pays: "Assistance under the OSWAP shall be in the form of low-interest loans made by participating lending institutions through a linked deposit arrangement with the CWSRF."¹²
Who qualifies: "Assistance is available for the improvement or rehabilitation of PSDSs serving homes that are not connected to a POTW."¹²
How to start: "Prior to applying for a loan from a participating lending institution, an eligible individual or entity must demonstrate appropriate permitting from the county in which the PSDS is located."¹²

Official page (PDF)

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Kentucky

Homeowner Septic Program

Agency: Eastern Kentucky PRIDE
Pays: "Assistance is available for low-income families to repair, replace, or install septic systems OR hook-up to sewer systems."¹³

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Maine

Small Community Grant Program

Agency: Maine DEP
Pays: "Grants can be used to fund from 25% to 100% of the design and construction costs, depending upon the property owners' income and the property's use."¹⁴
Who qualifies: "Residential owners may qualify for the grant program if their federal taxable income for the previous year was $84,086 or less."¹⁴
How to start: "The municipality receives the grant as a reimbursement for eligible costs of the replacement septic system after substantial completion of the construction."¹⁴
Status: "The SCG Program has received limited funding for 2026 projects"¹⁴

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Maryland

Bay Restoration Fund: Onsite Sewage Disposal System Fund

Agency: Maryland Department of the Environment
Pays: "Up to 100 percent of the approved cost for annual household income of $300,000 or less" "Up to 50 percent of the approved cost for annual household income above $300,000."¹⁵
Who qualifies: "Homeowners with existing onsite sewage disposal systems or new onsite sewage disposal system construction may qualify for grant funding based on their income"¹⁵

Official page

St. Mary's County: Bay Restoration Fund

Agency: St. Mary's County Health Department
How to start: "Grant funding must be approved prior to installation of the BAT."¹⁶

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Michigan

Septic Replacement Loan Program (SRLP)

Agency: Michigan Saves
Pays: "The Septic Replacement Loan Program (SRLP), created in partnership with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), provides low-interest financing to Michigan homeowners for the replacement of failing or near-failing septic systems and connections to municipal sewer."¹⁷
How to start: "Homeowners can access two loan tiers by working with a Michigan Saves authorized septic installation contractor: income-based financing (tier one) and market-based loans (tier two)."¹⁷

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Minnesota

Low-income fix-up grants

Agency: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Pays: "This grant enables counties to provide financial assistance to low-income homeowners with a noncompliant SSTS"¹⁸
Who qualifies: "the homeowner is low-income according to the criteria chosen by the county"¹⁸
How to start: "Most financial assistance for septic systems is not directly available to individual property owners, but is administered through local governments."¹⁸
Status: "The deadline for counties to apply for the most recent grant was Aug. 24, 2026. The next application period is anticipated to start in July or August 2027."¹⁸

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Missouri

Not taking applications

CWSRF On-site Wastewater Treatment System Grant

Agency: Missouri DNR
Who qualifies: "The On-site Wastewater Treatment System Grants will assist private (non-commercial) and single-family homeowners in select watersheds with identified water quality concerns related to nutrients."¹⁹
Status: "The application period for the CWSRF On-site Wastewater Treatment System Grant closed June 30, 2026."¹⁹

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Nevada

Septic to Sewer Conversion Program

Agency: Southern Nevada Water Authority
Pays: "Subject to funding availability, this program will cover 85 percent of eligible costs, up to a maximum benefit of $40,000."²⁰
Who qualifies: "The Partially Funded Septic Conversion Program was developed for homeowners on septic systems who wish to expedite their septic conversion."²⁰
How to start: "Submit the SNWA Septic to Sewer Application."²⁰

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

New Jersey

Water Bank money to replace a septic tank (DEP): "This would require a local government unit (i.e., municipality) to serve as the project sponsor; the sponsor must meet New Jersey Water Bank credit-worthiness requirements."²¹

Hunterdon County: Housing Rehabilitation Program

Agency: Hunterdon County
Pays: "Well and septic repairs"²²
Who qualifies: "Any resident of an owner-occupied dwelling in Hunterdon County:" "Who has resided in the County for at least one year and has not received funding from this program in the last three years." "Whose income from all resources does not exceed the current HUD income guideline."²²
How to start: Application on the official page.

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

New Mexico

Deadline passed

Liquid Waste Assistance Fund

Agency: New Mexico Environment Department
Pays: "The LWAF helps low-income homeowners to replace or repair failing septic systems or cesspools."²³
Who qualifies: "Applicants must own or be in the process of purchasing the property where repairs will occur and have resided in the home for the past year."²³
Status: "Applications must be submitted electronically through the LWDAF application website by midnight Sept. 4, 2026."²⁴

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

New York

Septic System Replacement Fund

Agency: New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation
Pays: "The Septic System Replacement Fund Program focuses on improving water quality by providing funds to counties to help homeowners replace cesspools and septic systems that are adversely impacting designated waterbodies."²⁵
Who qualifies: "Homeowners: Reach out to your local county government office about the program."²⁵
How to start: "Participating counties are responsible for reviewing and evaluating the applications and determine financial assistance awards based on the program criteria."²⁵

Official page

Septic Repair and Replacement Program

Agency: Catskill Watershed Corporation
Pays: "Eligible primary residences may qualify for up to 100% reimbursement of approved repair or replacement costs, while non-primary residences may qualify for up to 60%."²⁶
Who qualifies: "a voluntary program for eligible homeowners in the West-of-Hudson NYC Watershed" "the program does not cover systems serving newly constructed homes or septic systems less than 20 years old."²⁶

Official page

St. Lawrence County: EFC Septic System Replacement Program

Agency: St. Lawrence County
Pays: "An eligible property owner qualifies for half the cost of their septic replacement with a maximum reimbursement of $10,000."²⁷
Who qualifies: "A property owner is only eligible for funding if their septic system is within 250’ of a priority water body"²⁷
How to start: "Interested parties will fill out an application form, followed by an inspection to ensure eligibility." "Once the work is completed, the homeowner will pay in full and submit evidence of paid bills to the County."²⁷

Official page

Oswego County: Lakeshore Septic Replacement Grant

Agency: Oswego County
Pays: "The Program can provide up to 50% of the eligible costs of eligible septic system projects, with a maximum reimbursement of $10,000 per project."²⁸
Who qualifies: "This program is funded by the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation and can provide monetary aid to replace exisiting septic systems that are located along the Lake Ontario lakeshore."²⁸
How to start: "If you are the owner of one of the targeted properties and are interested in funding, please fill-out this application and return it to the Department for review." "The maximum of $10,000 will not be secured without a legitimate itemized estimate."²⁸

Official page

Ulster County: Septic System Replacement Fund (Resolution No. 96)

Agency: Ulster County Legislature
Pays: "the Fund will provide up to $10,000.00 to assist homeowners to repair or replace failing septic systems with a required dollar for dollar match from the homeowner"²⁹
Note: A county resolution of March 19, 2024 to apply for the state fund. The county's program page could not be read.

Official page (PDF)

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

North Carolina

CWSRF Helene Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (Septic Systems) Program

Agency: NC DEQ
Pays: "This program offers septic repair and replacement, needs assessment, and septic-to-sewer connection funding in all counties under the Hurricane Helene emergency designation"³⁰
Who qualifies: "Property owners in these counties with damaged or failing septic systems may contact administrators of these programs for funding assistance to repair or replace their septic systems, regardless of whether their property was directly damaged by Hurricane Helene."³⁰
Status: "The organizations may work directly with property owners on replacements of septic systems as early as the first quarter of 2027."³⁰

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

North Dakota

Septic Renovation Water Quality Initiative (SRWQI)

Agency: North Dakota DEQ
Pays: "The SRWQI is structured as a rebate."³¹
Who qualifies: "Eligible systems generally must be adjacent to or within one mile of a North Dakota named and classified waterbody, impaired waterbody, or located above a designated sensitive aquifer."³¹
How to start: "The NDDEQ provides funding to the local project sponsor."³¹

Official page (PDF)

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Ohio

Water Pollution Control Loan Fund: home sewage treatment systems

Agency: Ohio EPA
Pays: "The WPCLF program offers principal forgiveness loans to Local Health Districts (LHDs) to assist homeowners with failing HSTS." "Principal forgiveness loans are grant-like funds and do not require repayment."³²
Who qualifies: "This program is for homeowners only and is not intended for commercial structures."³²
How to start: "Homeowners request assistance directly from the LHD's."³²

Official page

Deadline passed

Columbiana County: Water Pollution Loan Fund Homeowner Application, 2026

Agency: Columbiana County Health District
Pays: "Financial assistance is available to pay 50%, 85% or 100% which is dependent on household income level."³³
Who qualifies: "The owner and household income must be below 300% poverty level."³³
Status: "This application must be completed in-full and received by August 14th."³³

Official page (PDF)

Wayne County: Home Repair Program

Agency: Wayne Metropolitan Housing Authority
Pays: "The grant covers single projects such as septic repairs, leaking roofs, heating systems, etc."³⁴
How to start: Apply from the official page.
Status: "This grant is available as long as funding allows."³⁴

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Oklahoma

Not taking applications

Oklahoma Septic Tank Remediation Program

Agency: Oklahoma Conservation Commission
Pays: "The Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC), with funding through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, provides technical and financial assistance to homeowners throughout the state of Oklahoma to repair or replace failing systems located near Oklahoma water bodies."³⁵
Who qualifies: "Must own and reside full-time in the home" "Septic system must be within 1,320 feet of a stream, river, or lake (confirmed by Program staff)" "Owner must make less than $150,000 per year"³⁵
Status: "Applications are now closed."³⁵

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Oregon

Deadline passed

Onsite Financial Aid Program (OSFAP)

Agency: Oregon DEQ
Pays: "The DEQ Onsite Financial Aid Program supports programs to improve public health and water quality by providing grants and low-cost loans to address failing septic systems."³⁶
How to start: "Property owners who are looking for funding options for their personal or small business systems should check Financial Assistance for Homeowners and Small Businesses"³⁶ Onsite Septic Resources in Oregon (DEQ)
Status: "Funds must be obligated to property owners no later than September 2024 and projects must be completed by December 2026."³⁶

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Pennsylvania

PENNVEST Homeowner Sewage Program

Agency: PENNVEST
Pays: "Maximum loan amount is $25,000; minimum is $2,500."³⁷
Who qualifies: "Loans are available to eligible homeowners, for their principal residence, when they need to:" "Repair or replace their individual on-lot septic system."³⁷
How to start: "Contact a participating local lender to see if you qualify for a loan. Select the PHFA Participating Lender List link below, or call PHFA at 1-855-827-3466 for a current listing or for additional assistance."³⁷

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Rhode Island

Community Septic System Loan Program (CSSLP)

Agency: Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank
Pays: "The Community Septic System Loan Program (CSSLP) is a lending program that provides low-cost, long-term financing to residential property owners for the repair or replacement of substandard or failing septic systems or to replace cesspools when the homeowner wishes to upgrade to a septic system."³⁸
Who qualifies: "Municipalities must opt in to provide this service to their residents."³⁸
How to start: "Residents of participating communities should contact their city or town hall for a financing application."³⁸

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Texas

On-Site Sewage Facilities Remediation Program

Agency: Trinity River Authority of Texas
Pays: "Get up to $8,000 to repair or install a septic system on your property"³⁹
Who qualifies: "Homeowners within the Joe Pool Lake or Village Creek-Lake Arlington watershed that meet certain criteria are eligible to apply for one of the available grants to repair, install, or replace septic systems within the watershed."³⁹
Status: "The next funding cycle will begin September 2026 and close August 2029. More information to come."³⁹

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Vermont

Not taking applications

ANR Healthy Homes On-Site Program

Agency: Vermont DEC
Pays: "This program will provide financial assistance to residential property owners, including owner-occupied multi-family properties with up to four units for the repair or replacement of failing or inadequate on-site water and/or wastewater systems."⁴⁰
Who qualifies: "Earn a household income of less than $80,835 per year"⁴⁰
Status: "The ANR Healthy Homes On-Site Program is no longer accepting new pre-qualification submissions at this time."⁴⁰

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Virginia

Septic and Well Assistance Program (SWAP)

Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Pays: "assist low-income homeowners with repairing or replacing failed, failing or in adequate septic systems"⁴¹
Who qualifies: "Homeowners whose income is at or below 200% (2 times the FPG) are eligible."⁴¹
How to start: "If you are an individual homeowner and are experience issues with your private septic or water system you can express your interest or need in financial assistance by filling out a Homeowner SWAP Interest Form."⁴¹
Status: "SWAP is no longer directly accepting applications for funding."⁴¹

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Washington

Craft3 Clean Water Loans

Agency: Craft3
Pays: "Borrow the entire cost of eligible design, permitting and installation. Lower interest rates for qualified lower-income borrowers."⁴²
Who qualifies: "If your property is in Washington, you may be eligible to borrow up to the full cost of your septic repair or replacement. In addition, at least one of the following must apply:" "Your septic system is at least 25 years old" "Your system is failing" "You’ve been contacted by local health officials" "You are under orders to fix your system"⁴²

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

West Virginia

West Virginia Housing Development Fund

Pays: "The West Virginia Housing Development Fund, in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, help eligible households repair or replace on-site septic systems or connect to a public treatment system."¹
Note: In EPA's words. The fund's own page could not be read.

EPA's septic funding page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Fund (DSPS): "The Wisconsin Fund existed to help Wisconsinites with limited resources pay for repairs and replacements of failing Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS)." "The Wisconsin Fund started in 1978 and sunsetted at the end of the 2022-2023 biennium."⁴³

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

Wyoming

Septic System Improvements program

Agency: Sheridan County Conservation District
Pays: "The SCCD Septic System Improvements program is a local improvements program that provides voluntary, locally-directed, financial and technical assistance for repair or replacement of existing septic systems that likely impact water quality."⁴⁴
How to start: Cost-share application on the official page.

Official page

Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on the official page.

No program found

Alaska: none found.
Colorado: none found. The state health department's septic system and revolving fund pages could not be read.
Hawaii: none found. A Department of Health wastewater page was not found, and Hawaii County's housing pages could not be read.
Indiana: none found.
Kansas: none found.
Louisiana: none found. Two Department of Health wastewater pages could not be read.
Massachusetts: none found. Mass.gov's Title 5 financial assistance and Community Septic Management Program pages could not be read.
Mississippi: none found.
Montana: none found.
Nebraska: none found.
New Hampshire: none found. NHDES's septic grant and loan pages could not be read.
South Carolina: none found. Kershaw County's Lake Wateree watershed page could not be read.
South Dakota: none found.
Tennessee: none found. Two TDEC pages could not be read.
Utah: none found. Utah DEQ's water quality financial assistance and onsite wastewater pages could not be read.

Checked October 5, 2026. Not listed? Ask your county health department.

Help paying for well repairs · Find a water test · Help paying for sewer backup protection

Programs run out of money and close. Check the official page before you apply.

Sources

Checked October 5, 2026.

Health facts on this page come from the agencies linked here. About this directory.